I was watching a video on YouTube the other day and the filmmakers who were reviewing whiskeys were complaining that 90 proof whiskey was too low of a proof. They wanted something that was 120 proof or higher. I thought to myself that they just don’t like the taste of whiskey because that high proof numbs the taste buds on the first drink and dulls the taste of the drinks afterwards. THERE IS NOTHING “WEAK” about 90 proof whiskey.

Historically, even Taft said in his famous decision on whiskey that drinkable proof was between 90 and 105 proof. Pre-prohibition whiskey would have been entered into the barrel in this proof range because it would finish aging at a proof that people could enjoy straight from the barrel. Pre-prohibition whiskey was often sold straight from the barrel even after bottling whiskey became economically feasible for distillers. After the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 was passed, 100 proof became the standard for bottled whiskey, but many distillers bottled whiskey at less than 100 proof, as well as, a bonded product.

After prohibition, there were many brands that had 90 proof expressions of the brand. At Stitzel-Weller, they had a four year old Cabin Still that was 90 proof Bourbon and a seven year old Weller Special Reserve 90 proof Bourbon to appeal to customers that did not want 100 proof Bourbons. Cabin Still was reduced to 86 proof as the trend to lower proof whiskeys grew in America in the 1950s, but Weller Special Reserve remained at 90 proof.

Whiskey bottled at 90 proof does have to be filtered more to prevent flocking, a haze caused in whiskey when it gets cold. This can be a good thing when the whiskey comes from the upper levels of the warehouse where the oak tannins are increased with aging. I have heard Eddie Russell say that he uses the barrels from the upper levels for Wild Turkey bottled at a lower proof than the traditional 101 proof for this reason.

I like many 90 proof whiskeys. I used to love the seven year old Weller Special Reserve and Makers Mark, another 90 proof whiskey, is another go-to Bourbon when I am at a bar. A 90 proof whiskey has a lot of flavor in the drink. I like to think that there was a reason the distiller decided to bottle the whiskey at 90 proof. Barrel strength or even possibly 100 proof may have left in too much tannins from the wood, making the whiskey bitter and with a tannic burn. Whiskey bottled at 90 proof deserves my respect.

So the next time you drink a whiskey that was bottled at 90 proof, consider the reasons why the distiller bottled it at that proof. Enjoy the whiskey for what it is and don’t complain that it is too low in proof.

Photos Courtesy of Rosemary Miller